The Way Past Winter

Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Chicken House. (256p) ISBN: 9781912626076
The Way Past Winter

The Way Past Winter

In an everlasting winter, sisters Mila and Pipa set out in search for their brother Oskar. Mila is certain that he didn’t accompany the stranger of his own accord, that he didn’t leave like their father did. Her other sister, Sanna feels that he has abandoned them as their father did.

I loved The Way Past Winter from the start where the beginning of winter is described, the relationships between the siblings clearly set out in chapter 2, the bleakness of the landscape, and the magical feel throughout.

There is a smattering of Norse-flavour throughout, but not the Vikings of the north but the people who lived there and their daily lives.

The story is tight and well-written, as we’ve come to expect from Kiran Millwood Hargrave, and travels at a good pace, not over-fast but keeping you on the edge of your seat making it impossible to put the book down (had to do it once to make dinner – adulting is so boring) until you’ve reached the conclusion.

The illustrations and cover art by Helen Crawford-White make a beautiful enhancement to an already beautiful book, really looking forward to the finished product.

This is such a treat and will be another winter classic along the lines of Snow Spider, The Snow Queen, and Sky Song.


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The Girl of Ink and Stars

Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Chicken House. (240p) ISBN: 9781910002742
The Girl of Ink and Stars

The Girl of Ink and Stars

In ‘The Girl of Ink & Stars’, Kiran creates a believable world inhabited by believable characters.

The story starts as though it is going to be historical fiction set on an island in an imaginary tropical ocean, but as it progresses the mystical side of the island and their inhabitants start to develop.

A convincing mythology develops as the book grows on you, gently and from under your skin, until you’re immersed in Isabella’s world. The magic feels real in the same way that Philip Pullman developed his magic in ‘His Dark Materials’, not overbearing and flashy but part of the world that you are reading about, normal.

The book is about Isabella’s journey to find her lost friend in a forbidden jungle, not only exploring the jungle but her islands past and coming to some fascinating discoveries.

Chicken House have again excelled in producing a beautiful product, with a wonderful cover by Helen Crawford-White, maps and small illustrations on each page, all which add to the reading experience.


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The Island at the End of Everything

Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Chicken House. (256p) ISBN: 9781910002766
The Island at the End of Everything

The Island at the End of Everything

Based on a real island in the Philippines, Kiran tells the story of Amhi, The Island at the End of Everything a young girl who’s mother is Touched (has leprosy). Different from her previous story ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ in that it doesn’t have a fantasy element, it shares the beautiful storytelling style that Kiran uses.

The island has traditionally been the home of the Touched and their families and though there are difficulties the families are together, but the Philippine government changes policy on this as wants to separate those with leprosy from those without.

This story follows what happens when this policy is implemented by people who don’t seem to care about the individuals but more about themselves. It also follows Amhi as she becomes caught up in this policy change and the trials she has to suffer, in a way there are similarities with ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ here, a young girl separated from her one parent, having to deal with difficulties as she overcomes this separation.

Another beautifully written book by Kiran, and again I have to say well done to Chicken House Publishing for producing another quality product.


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